A good place to observe avariety of migrating birds.See more..
3.5Catoctin Wildlife Preserve(317 reviews) - Enjoyable day worth the drive Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Zoos
From bears and boas, macaws to monkeys, panthers to pythons, and alligators to zebra, amazing experiences and hundreds of exciting new exotic animal friends await you in this 50-acre park! Catoctin Wildlife Preserve features more interactive touch and feed opportunities than any other animal park in the region. Feel the silky soft fur of the chinchilla or the bumpy shell of a tortoise at daily educational talks. Or get nose to nose with camels, bison, ostrich, zebra and more on the optional Safari Ride. You will be welcomed by natural ponds, lush landscaping, and wandering Ambass-zoo-dors, eager to indulge inquisitive guests. These amazing animals are our extended family and vital ambassadors for their species. Through our personal style of exhibits and education, we know that they will be your extended family too.See more..
4.5Lake Kittamaqundi(159 reviews) - Love this lake! Spent 2-3 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens
We love this lake for dog walks. The walk around the lake is 1.7 miles and mostly flat. There are other paved paths that lead off from the lake so if you are interested in more distance there are lots of options. If you have dogs, there is a supply of bags for pick up and there are plenty of garbage cans along the way for deposit. My lab likes to swim and there are several entry points for him to take a dip. The lake is home to ducks, geese, and beavers. It is also a favorite spot for fireworks on the 4th. The restaurants on the lake are all very good. There is a major hotel on the lake. There is a spa there and also a Whole Foods. Very safe area with easy access to the mall but also very quiet and isolated. Great for walking, jogging, and bike riding. Super easy for kids because the hills are minimal. We go there several time a month.See more..
4.5Terrapin Nature Park(119 reviews) - Beautiful and close! Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
This award-winning 276-acre nature park features a 3.25-mile oyster chaff walking trail, which meanders through wildflower meadows, wetlands, tidal ponds, woodlands and sandy beaches. The trail provides a unique vantage point for viewing an incredible variety of waterfowl, wildlife and plant species. A gazebo and wheelchair-accessible boardwalk, located along the beach afford a spectacular view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and park benches located along the trail provides a brief respite for the weary. The trail, which wanders over several ridges, across marshlands and through woodlands, features two observation blinds overlooking the tidal ponds. The trail connects to the County’s Cross Island Trail system. Nearby free parking for the Cross Island Trail system is available at Old Love Point Park. Portable toilets are available year round. Hours: Sunrise to SunsetSee more..
4.5Lake Elkhorn Park(102 reviews) - Great walk totalling over 6 miles from the Patuxent Branch Trail RR bridge car park. Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
Mixed woodland walk along the river ending at beautiful Lake Elkhorn. Plenty of birdlife including a pair of Osprey over the lake dam. Highly recommended for families as there is plenty of shade.See more..
4.5Robinson Nature Center(98 reviews) - Great time for families Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
The Robinson Nature Center is a unique nature education facility with fun for the whole family. The Center is a LEED platinum certified green building situated on 18 acres of land. Attractions include: - Solar panels, green roof, and a host of other sustainable technologies - 2 stories of interactive, multi-sensory exhibits - A "NatureSphere" digital planetarium and full-dome movie theater - A Children's Discovery Room with hands-on activities - An outdoor Nature Place play area for kids - Numerous demonstration gardens featuring native plants - A mile of walking trails with views of the Middle Patuxent River - Access to the historical Simpsonville Mill Ruins Each year, the Center runs over 450 programs including field trips, public programs, birthday parties, home school and scout programs.See more..
There’s a small but good visitor center at the end of the road, and there we got a map of the hiking trails, and recommendations on which to take. All the trails are rather short, but each offer different views and experiences. We were warned about the insects in the Duck Inn trail and figured we’d be okay after slathering down with insect repellant. Wrong! We cut that walk short. In other spots we loved the views across the Chesapeake, and seeing numerous eagles.See more..
Soldier's Delight has something for everyone - short and long walking (or cross country) trials, and unparalleled scenery that reminds a person of a prairie. Once you get on the large field, the weather changes and you feel like you are in New Mexico or some barren, windy environment. The place also has a small aviary, nature center, old mine and stone hunting lodge (not accessible for tours). Very peaceful place to be...See more..
We like to picnic here often, and hike. Always deer around. Great photo ops. Take your trash with you.See more..
4.5Adkins Arboretum(36 reviews) - Only venture here if you are ready to be blown away Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
I was born and raised on a farm, out in the country and now live in Washington, DC. Not so long ago, I was feeling sort of down and my head was getting pretty fuzzy about things and I had this overwhelming urge to get out in the woods and walk around. Only thing was, it needed to feel like "the woods" not sitting next to a major highway, not packed with people running around with their face buried in the iPhones, but a place to really connect with being outdoors and feeling, smelling and seeing what being "in the woods" can do for you. Well, Adkins sure did it. I was blown away. Friendly staff, and probably one of the most well-done arboretums I've ever been too. Signage was outstanding but in a very understated way. I didn't want to leave, but ever since I did...I've felt a longing to go back.See more..
4.5Orchid Cellar Meadery and Winery(36 reviews) - Quaint and one of a kind Saturday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Farms
Maryland's one-of-a-kind meadery and winery bringing the world's oldest alcohol into the 21st century. Specializing in unique meads and limited wine options. Our hand-built, log cabin tasting room sits amongst 16 acres with a serene mountain view. Seating is available inside our tasting room year-round. Picnics with outside food are always welcome, but outside alcohol is not permitted. Our vineyard lab, Carmen, loves making new friends, so feel free to bring your friendly pup (outdoors only). All ages are welcome, but visitors must be 21 to drink. Cheers!See more..
Beautiful area to hike and can bring dogs and kids. Water area, gorgeous wildlife and much needed respite from busy traffic area. Well worth a visit. My friend said, "How did I not know about this place before now??" It is so fun to go.See more..
We started early on a hot day and did a nice loop which eventually crossed a creek. You have to either take your shoes off or walk/slither across a falls tree. Great shade all the way through and varied terrain, even some hills. See more..
We enjoy hiking in places with opportunities to observe and photograph wildlife in natural settings. This was our first visit to SERC and it did not disappoint! We saw a large diversity of woodland bird species, particularly woodpeckers of several varieties, and many butterflies. What a great find!See more..
We stopped here on a day trip to the area. It was really cold, so we were looking for things to do with our 4 year old and 5 month old indoors. We had an amazing experience! We just happened to be there on the day that they were feeding their large albino snapping turtle. Wow! Loved the beehive and the owl. My daughter enjoyed all of the hands on items. We also decided to brave the weather and do the swamp walk which is really nice. I would love to go back in warmer weather! See more..
5.0Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary(18 reviews) - Great Photography Workshops Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, operated by Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, consists of 1,700 acres of open water, tidal freshwater marshes, forested wetlands, upland and riparian forest, creeks, meadows, pine and sand barrens, and fields along the Patuxent River. Located in southern Anne Arundel County, 20 miles east of Washington, DC, and 18 miles south of Annapolis, the Sanctuary is a designated site on the Patuxent Water Trail. The Sanctuary is located in the tidal reaches of the Patuxent River, and its network of habitats, including its extensive tidal freshwater wetlands, provides a safe environment to a high diversity of plants, invertebrates, birds, fish, reptiles, and mammal species. The National Audubon Society has designated the Sanctuary as a Nationally Important Bird Area.See more..
4.0Westminster Community Pond(18 reviews) - Nice spot Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Nice spot to fit in a little walk in your day. Takes about 15 minutes to walk around it. Also nice yo take kids to, ducks, geese and swings also.See more..
4.0Prettyboy Reservoir Park(15 reviews) - Beautiful Autumn Day Reflected in the Water Nature & Wildlife Areas
The weather was perfect, crisp fall breeze, bright sunshine and blue sky. All the fall foliage reflected off the reservoir lake. There were numerous places to pull off the quiet roads to get better views and photos. Hope people will take advantage before more cold and rain.See more..
I have ran three parts of the Indian Head Rail Trail. So beautiful in the Fall. I see deer every time I run and everyone on the trail is so polite. See more..
We had the best time visiting the Painted Sky Alpaca Farm today. The alpacas were very cuddly and friendly. We got to spend time with them in the field, received an informative tour and had the opportunity to purchase a souvenir from our fantastic day trip. This is a safe activity in the times of Covid - masks are required, social distancing is in place and there is hand sanitizer for use. The owners of the farm are friendly and full of information, it is clear they love what they do and treasure all of their animals. My husband and I can’t wait to return!See more..
The lake was an emerald green and blue on this bright summer day. Families were out hiking and walking along the water. Water birds enjoyed their small beach. Trees had been cleared from the road after some recent severe storms. Worth getting out of the city to enjoy the cooler forests.See more..
The Leight Estuary educational center is a peaceful waterfront property right off busy highways. Although the actual building is closed due to COVID-19, the grounds are open until dusk. There are numerous educational plaques providing information on plants, wildlife and the Chesapeake Bay system. The paths and walks out front had been shoveled, but the board walks on the side and down to the river overlook had not. I preceeded cautiously after slipping, and was rewarded with a beautiful view of Otter Point Creek.See more..
4.5Irvine Nature Center(12 reviews) - Fun for kids Nature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens We've gone to Irvine a few times with my 3 year old son. He likes the Nature Center animals (turtles, snakes, fish, bird) and taking short nature walks on the trails. There's even an indoor kids playroom with books, puzzles, and nature toys. Check out their website for activities. We've done some of the fall pre-school weekend classes and they've been great.See more..
4.5Howard County Conservancy(11 reviews) - Perfect Covid antidote Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
The Conservancy is the perfect spot for a mental health break during the pandemic and everything else. There are goats, an owl and lots of birds. There are also a few native plant gardens all connected with walking trails. Nestled in suburban neighborhoods, HCC is a wonderful oasis. You will see others walking around, many with their dogs, so don’t forget your mask.See more..
3.0Dinosaur Park(6 reviews) - It gets a four because there are few like it around Nature & Wildlife Areas
This is a small park on a road that runs through an industrial area. The first thing you need to know is that if, you want to dig fossils (under ranger supervision), it’s open only on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 12:00 to 4:00. Otherwise, you can look through the fence at a dirt hillside. But there are interesting sculptures of dinosaur bones outside the fence, plus restrooms. And you can peer through the fence poles at a colorful mural showing what the area looked like when the dinosaurs lived there.See more..
This is a lovely state park, easily accessible from I-70, yet feels like a million miles away. Beautiful places to walk in nature.See more..
5.0Marshy Point Nature Center(5 reviews) - Beautiful Park on a Beautiful Spring Day Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Hiking Trails
Marshy Point is an easy to reach and well maintained park and nature education center. There are walks and trails and plenty of picnic tables. There are pens for owls and turkeys, and nesting for eagles out on the water. The spring weather brought a little green to the trees, which contrasted with the blue of the nearby waters, seen through them. A great place to spend a sunny afternoon.See more..
4.0Homestead Llamas(5 reviews) - Park in Homestead and see the Liamas and then eat at Harvest Thyme (3) three miles down Central Ave. RT>#214 Nature & Wildlife Areas • Farms Visitors are welcome to Homestead Llamas to visit with, and learn about, llamasSee more..
Located just a short drive from Washington D.C., Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary is a paddler’s paradise. Here, you can kayak or canoe among the largest collection of visible historic shipwrecks in the Western Hemisphere. These shipwrecks have evolved into incredible artificial habitats for birds, animals, and fish of all kinds, making this a great spot to view wildlife, as well. Mallows Bay has been described as a bird watcher’s paradise for its abundance of osprey, waterfowl, bald eagles, and herons. The site offers four hiking trails to view some of the shipwrecks and learn more about the natural and cultural resources found in Mallows Bay. You can also fish, boat, picnic, and more at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary! Site amenities include a boat ramp, soft kayak or canoe launch, portable toilets, parking, interpretive signs, and a picnic area.See more..
This is the biggest park in Cecil County, covering more than 5000 acres and featuring some of the best mountain biking on the East Coast. You can ride/ hike for hours here, and see very few people. In addition to seeing beautiful fields, woods, creeks, and glens, there are beautiful ruins scattered throughout the park. You can rides horses here, it is primarily an equestrian park. There are places which will take you into the park on horseback. If visiting, be aware that this is primarily an equestrian park-hikers and bikers are welcome, but the horses come first. Stand aside when you see them, and ask before passing them.See more..
4.5South Mountain State Park(2 reviews) - Exceptional Rranger Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Hiking Trails Did you ever have a Ranger (Maryland Park Service) go so far out of their way to satisfy an inquisitive traveler that she would take time from her day to leave the Ranger station, show you the way up the mountain, open the closed Visitors Center, shut off the alarm, put the lights and exhibits on and then tell you to take your time visiting the information. Her name was Sarah R. and she did that for me. Also the view from the Washington Monument at South Mountain and the history of the locale was wonderful.See more..
3.0Franklin Point State Park(1 review) - Nice State Park in development Spent 1-2 hours State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas Hidden away deep in Shady Side is Franklin Point State Park. From the West Rhode Riverkeeper website: Franklin Point State Park, a pristine 477-acre tract of salt marsh, fields and forests, was saved from development more than 20 years ago by a group of local citizens, but it was locked behind a gate until the West and Rhode Riverkeeper formed a partnership with the Park Service to provide the volunteers needed to help maintain and monitor the park. The best part of the park at this time is a picnic/ water view site to the left just beyond the gate- about 100 yards. Picnic tables are nestled in the woods at the waters edge. Lots of great birdwatching. One advisory: BRING INSECT REPELLANT!!! Besdies the harassment of the deer flies somehow my son and I came across a tick nest. We are at 100 and counting that we have removed... By the way, saw lots of birds, butterflies, a couple of deer and 2 black snakes. Good day!See more..
4.0Wooton's Landing Wetland Park(1 review) - Nice place to walk Nature & Wildlife Areas We take the dog there frequently. If u can ignore the sewage plant, there's an area to fish to the left and a mile walking path to the right.See more..
Hart-Miller Park is an island found in Hawk Cove at the mouth of Middle River. The thousand plus acre park also includes Hawk Cove and Pleasure Island, and was formed in part through landfill efforts. The park is only accessible by boat but can be easily viewed from the end of Miller Island community in Edgemere. Camping, wading and hiking are available. This is a serene and beautiful area of Baltimore County.See more..
The Old Bohemia Wildlife Preserve offers fields for observing geese and forests where other wildlife may have been hiding. There are at least two main parking areas, one on the north border along Bohemia Church Road and another along the eastern edge on Church Road that leads into Warwick. The church in those road names is the historic Saint Francis Xavier located at the junction. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources should be commended for protecting these beautiful lands.See more..
We came here recently and walked for 2.5 hours doing each of the loops except for the one near the parking lot. It’s all flat, well-traveled paths, even good for trail running. Beautiful scenic views of the river and some islands - even little beaches for collecting rocks and shells. Just one heads up: it is an official hunting area. We talked to a couple of hunters and they’re very used to hikers on the trails. You’re in no danger whatsoever. We could have walked almost 9 miles had we done all the trails. It’s a really serene spot - with very little traffic. See more..
4.0Melvin G Bosely Wildlife Conservancy(1 review) - A natural setting so near to a busy Harford County town Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
Without Google maps and a little curiosity I would never have known the important wildlife (flora and fauna) conservancy existed on the edge of one of Edgewood's housing developments. Perry Avenue ends at a parking lot for the conservancy where there is room. For up to 10 vehicles. A few were parked there on this beautiful late summer day. Just beyond a notice board with a faded map of the trails is a sturdy foot bridge across Otter Point Creek and into the forests beyond. The path was surrounded by a variety of delicate wildflowers which the honey bees were enjoying. One could hear crickets and a woodpecker and the ubiquitous humming of mosquitoes. Since it had not rained for a week, the path was mostly dry, but a few muddy spots remained and others that could become mud quickly should we get more precipitation. The path itself seems to have maintained its shape mainly by seemingly regular foot traffic, otherwise the setting appeared to be in its natural condition without obvious maintenance. Again, one is amazed to find such natural settings so near to Harford County's busy towns.See more..
4.0Chesapeake Farms(1 review) - A Natural Setting Nature & Wildlife Areas Chesapeake Farms is a 3300 acre agricultural and wildlife management research and demonstration and education area. It was originally a hunting preserve for employees of the Du Pont Company. There is a self guided driving tour only with 14 stops thru out the property and is very informative. You can pick up a leaflet at the beginning and read as you go. We saw waterfowl, turtles, snakes and even muskrat along our journey. Due to the road conditions, I would avoid visiting after a heavy rainfall.See more..
5.0Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary(1 review) - A beautiful bird sanctuary and a wonderful surprise Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
This bird sanctuary is amazing. We visited on a foggy day in March, I'm not sure if it was even open, the gate was locked but you could just walk in. We were met by a variety of different birds and wildlife. This place is paradise for birders. They have pathes and clearings and a lookout platform. It seems to be well maintained and looked after. I recorded 3 new bird species in an hour. I would highly recommend this bird sanctuary if you enjoy nature and are in the area.See more..
